The Pickwick Papers

Pickwick awakens the next morning to an unusual scene: Sam is calmly observing Smangle, who is sitting on his bed, partially dressed. Smangle is trying to stare Sam down, but Sam remains unfazed. In response, Smangle tries to provoke Sam. The conversation nearly turns into an altercation when Smangle calls on his sleepy companion, Mivins, to help deal with Sam. However, Mivins, still in bed, lazily suggests that Smangle deal with Sam himself and then promptly returns to sleep. Before things can escalate further, Pickwick intervenes and calms everyone down.

Smangle, seemingly forgetting his earlier irritation, takes a sudden interest in Pickwick’s belongings. He eagerly offers to send Pickwick’s laundry to his washerwoman, claiming it’s no trouble at all and that he is happy to help a fellow gentleman. His intentions are clear—he’s trying to ingratiate himself with Pickwick to get access to his belongings—but both Pickwick and Sam fend off his advances. Smangle, realizing his efforts to gain something from Pickwick are not working, leaves to smoke.

After a quiet breakfast, Pickwick decides to consult Roker about his long-term accommodations. Roker explains that Pickwick will be assigned a “chummage ticket” for a shared room in the third flight of the prison, where he will be housed with three other men. When Pickwick asks for more details, Roker reveals that one of his future roommates is a parson, another a butcher, and the third a former horse-dealer. Pickwick, unsure of what to expect, decides to visit the room and meet his new companions before making a final decision, as he does have some say in the matter.

Pickwick finds his way to the third flight, where he discovers his new roommates. The room is a chaotic mess—filthy, cramped, and reeking of dampness. Simpson, the horse-dealer, is leaning out of the window, spitting on the hat of a friend below. Everything Pickwick sees appalls him, including the behavior of his roommates. The three men, sensing his discomfort, offer to “pay him out” of the room for three shillings and a gallon of beer. They suggest he take their offer and secure private accommodation elsewhere.

Realizing that he can rent a private room for a small fee, Pickwick quickly returns to Roker to arrange it. Roker, expecting this turn of events, promptly offers a furnished room for a pound a week. The room belongs to a Chancery prisoner who, having lost his fortune and friends, is eager to rent it out for the much-needed money. The prisoner, a gaunt and haunted man, agrees to the arrangement without hesitation. Moved, Pickwick offers the room back to him whenever he needs peace or quiet. In response, the prisoner laments that no one cares whether he lives or dies.

Once the arrangements are settled, Pickwick moves into his new room. Though the room is modest, it provides the privacy and peace that Pickwick desires. Reflecting on the grim conditions of the prison and the sad fate of his fellow inmates, Pickwick feels a wave of compassion for the unfortunate souls trapped in the debtor’s system. He resolves to help wherever he can, but his thoughts are interrupted when he sees something—or rather, someone—entirely unexpected: Alfred Jingle.

Jingle is now a shadow of his former self. He is dressed in tattered clothes, gaunt from hunger, and clearly defeated by his circumstances. Nearby, Trotter, equally destitute, enters with a small piece of raw mutton. The sight of them in such a state moves Pickwick to speak privately with Jingle, who, despite his bravado, is clearly ashamed of his downfall. Jingle admits that he has been living in poverty and pawning off everything he owns. His attempt at lightheartedness falters as he breaks down, sobbing from the weight of his suffering. Pickwick, deeply moved, offers him help and promises to do what he can to assist both Jingle and Trotter.

Returning to his room, Pickwick finds Sam sorting his belongings. After a moment of reflection, Pickwick tells Sam that he must leave the prison. He explains that it is absurd for a debtor to have a manservant, and he wishes for Sam to find work with one of their friends. Sam, however, refuses to accept this plan. He argues that Pickwick needs him, and despite his master’s insistence, Sam makes it clear that he will not be dismissed. With that, Sam abruptly leaves the room, leaving Pickwick alone and calling after Sam in vain.